Rule 5 pick Noah Song sidelined with back tightness

Right-hander Noah Song, the Phillies’ selection in this winter’s Rule 5 draft, has been shut down in spring training due to back tightness, according to a Saturday morning report by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Song had an MRI performed on Friday.

Song, 25, was a fourth-round draft pick by the Red Sox out of the Naval Academy in 2019, but has not pitched professionally since that year due to his service in the United States Navy. He had a 1.06 ERA in seven starts in short-season Class A.

Despite his hiatus from playing, the Phillies took a gamble on Song when they surprisingly took him away from the Red Sox organization in the Rule 5 draft ahead of this season. Song was soon granted a waiver by the Navy to become a reserve, allowing him to report to Clearwater for the Phillies this spring.

As Rule 5 picks cannot be optioned to the minors for the duration of the season, the Phillies were going to have a decision to make on Song as the start of the season approached — put the inexperienced righty on the major-league roster or offer him back to the Red Sox. But, at least for now, that decision can wait, with Song seemingly destined for the injured list.

Still, Philadelphia can’t simply stash Song on the IL for the entire season in hopes of being able to keep him and option him next year. He will need to spend 90 days on the team’s active major-league roster without being optioned in 2023 to remain on the Phillies, assuming the Red Sox would take him back if offered.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. Phillies Nation Top 15 Prospects: March 2023
2. Phillies Nuggets: Opening Day Lineup Projection 3.0
3. Bryce Harper :‘I Want To Play Well Into My 40s’
4. José Alvarado Talks Transformation, World Series, New Contract & More
5. Phillies 2023 Opening Day Roster Projection 2.0
6. Rhys Hoskins Talks Playoff Memories, Team Confidence Heading Into 2023
7. Carlos Correa On Andrew Painter: ‘This Kid’s Going To Be A Star’
8. When Will The Phillies Get A “City Connect” Uniform?
9. Noah Song’s Journey Back To Professional Baseball Adds Layer Of Intrigue To Phillies Camp
10. Garrett Stubbs Bat-Spiked And DJ’d His Way To Fan Favorite Status In 2022. He’s Ready For ‘New Memories’ In 2023